Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-03-03


pie do not wish to revive sectional animosi- |
ties, but are anxious for the perpetuation of |
that peace for which the great soldier Grant |
loud applause)-so fervently prayed |
peace that brings with it genuine fraternal |
feelings and business prosperity.
Governor Foraker asserted the other even
ing, substantially, that there had nothing |
ever occurred in the history of this country |
prior to 1861 of any great consequence, or |
that was particularly worthy either of the |
gratitude or the admiration of mankind. |
This is remarkable claim indeed Hes seems |
to be one of that class of people who are blind |
TO every thing that occurred before the war |
He refuses to believe in the wisdom, the pa |
triotism or the glory of our fathers, but is |
content with that self-esteem which apere-
ciates only the present
His statement is answered by over seventy
years of successful government; by the valor
of free people, who during that period
boldly maintained and enforced their rights
at home and abroad; by the blood of gallant
soldiers shed ON the fields of Mexico; by our
brilliant naval victories on the lakes; by the
unparalleled increase of our national domain:
by tho wonderful feats of our artisans in the
invention and construction of telegraphs and
railroads; by TIE raatchless eloquence of our
orators and the varied achievements of our
statesmen, rem termg their names illustrious
in the worlds history These things cannot
be blotted out by mere idle assertion.
THE VICTORIES OF PEACE.
Men who decline to recognize any other
achievements as worthy of gratitude or ad-
miration except those accomplished by or in
cident to war alone fail to comprehend the
true mission of government, and are only
blind because they will rot see War has
accomplished much, but it must not be for
gotten that
Peace hath her victories no less renowned than
war.
| tell the honorable gentleman from Ohio
that the glory and greatness of this country
were we'll established by its Democratic sol
diers and statesmen long before he was born
tApplausel Long before the Republican
party came into being the nation was pros
porous and rich; its carrying trade in Amer
lean bottoms was greater than now; its in
dustries flouriShed, lis broad acres were well
titled; its laborers were contented and happy.
Mr. Depew and Governor Foraker, before
recklessly assailing the grand old party that
has existed almost from the beginning of the
government-beliUling IFS record and i'm
pugning its patriotiSm-Shoud have made
themselves familiar with the simple facts of
our national history.
l have heard a good story told by nv
friend Judge Woodbury., of Boston, which
seems to be appropriate in this connection,
and it is substantially as follows: There was
a bluff but gallant old soldier named Gen.
Il -. Tsl..-
pewa, in the war of 1872. receiving
bullet in his knee, which ever
afterward made it stiff He was
about SIX feet four inches high and well pro-
portioned. As, many years afterward, he
was walking and Gmping upon the street one
day i'll Boston, he met u young dude of fel-
low, clipper and conceIted who said TO him.
General, pray how did You lose the use of
your limb; was 1t white swellingfn The old
general, amazed that there was any one who
did not know of his wounds and services,
drew himself up to his utmost height, swung
his leg forward, and, disianfully looking
down upon his questioner, Indignantly re-
piled, Young man, yoa talk like a d-n
fool; why lont you read tie history of your
country:n Gaugh;erl
beg to suggest 10 these learned gentlemen
tEat they read the history Of their country
daughter
4 SECTIONAL PARTY
1t may not BE- t3rniss. also. while making
comparisons. to remi:.s them of the racorc.
and status of their own party. Brought into
life originally upon a sectional issue, it has
ever since continued to bc a sectional party,
having no substantial footloli in a third of
the states in the Union. II apreals TO preju-
dice and interests which forbid it ever be-
coming a national party or securing the
permanent confidence of the people. 1t
teaches policy of hate as we'll as selfishness
So far as the country at large is concerned
it has been minority party ever since its
existence. In troublesome times, under the
false pretenses of necessity, it tramped upon
the rights of the people, it usuTped arbitrary
power, it invaded the personal liberty of
the citizens, it violated the sacred right of
habeas corpus, and it carried elections by
force and by the all of visiting statesmen
1t has given away the public lands to rail-
road corporations, instead of reserving them
for actual settlers
During Democratic rule the right of every
citizen, no matter how humble has been
abundantly secure Not a blade of grass was
ever disturbed by n Democratic administra-
ton, except under due process of law. Not
home was ever invaded, nor a privilege
! abridged, nor q right forfeited. unless ex-
pressly warranted by statute. You cannot
point to single instance wherein a Demo
cratic congress or legislature has ever failed
in the performance OF a constitutional duty
relating to representation of the people.
MI
All the monopohes which now affiict the
country have grown up ander Republican
rule. 1t is the boast OF our opponents that
they have fostered and protected these mo-
nopolies. A cotere of rich men control the
action and dictate the policy of the Republi-
can party of to-day They have driven from
its ranks every INDEPENDENT clement that
gave 1t character and strength before the
people. Nearly all the thoughtful working
men who chung to its fortunes during the
civil war have long since deserted it. Our
opponents have become leadeTlcss and dis
tracted organization, without patriotic as
pratlOn or principles and catching at every
ism" that comes along. They refused TO
adopt the suggestions of President Arthur
upon the tariff question or the recommended
ton OF Secretary Foiser for a reduction of
revenue, and refused to ratify the only inn
portant treaty which their own president
had made.
Senator elect Hiscock, who is to misrepre-
sent the Democratic state Of New York for
the next six years, said the other night that
the Republican party had always contended
for harbor defenses When and where was
such contention made manifesto During
their twenty years of unrestricted power,
since the close of the war. what serious move
did they ever make i'll that directions What
fort did they ever build? Where are fortifi-
cations which they ever errcted2 Echo
answers "Wheret" Did they build up the
navyl VIII some one tell Us i'll what respectl
They enriched favored contractors, who
palmed off upon the government their worth
less vessels, and that was all They permitted
the navy to deteriorate, until it has become
the laughing stock Of the world, l could bid
defiance to it with the navy of the state of
Nayx Work which nonsietS of tha canal boats